Our team will call you back as soon as possible, Monday to Thursday, 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm, and Friday, 9am-12pm and 2pm-4pm).
History
Émile Péquignet: The Founder
Self-taught, Emile Péquignet began his career as a craftsman. Pioneering and innovative, in the 1960s, he was one of the first to propose a new watchmaking aesthetic combining love of beautiful design and advanced technical quality. Overcoming the quartz crisis which, in the 1970s, led to the closure of several French watchmakers, Pequignet built itself independently by developing a French watchmaking art that combines aesthetics and innovation.
In the 2000s, after a career in making French timepieces, Emile Péquignet handed over to Didier Leibundgut, who came from a watchmaking line in the region. Subsequent takeovers by former executives and, more recently, by the family-owned ethical investment fund, Enowe, have not distracted the company from its goal: to promote French fine watchmaking.
By inaugurating its own Haute Horlogerie laboratory in 2008, Pequignet constantly defends an exceptional French watch industry. With highly talented watchmaking engineers with access to cutting-edge technology, Manufacture Pequignet opened in 2010. It designs and manufactures its movements in-house. Less than a year later, the Calibre Royal®, fitted on the watches of the Royale collection, was launched. It was followed in 2017 by its simplified version, the Calibre Royal Manuel®.
50 YEARS OF INNOVATION
1973
Emile Péquignet founded his eponymous watch Manufacture in Morteau.The collections, which he personnally created and designed, achieved immediate success.
1984
He introduced the Moorea watch, which quickly became the iconic model of the Maison. Over three decades, he has consistently offered a catalog marked by style and innovation, continually renewed.
1987
At the end of the 1990s, Pequignet watches were sold worldwide. Symbolizing desirable French watchmaking, the brand emerged as a key player in the horse riding world, reflecting its founder's great passion.
Men's and women's watches are complemented by jewelry collections.
2004
Acquisition of Pequignet by Didier Leibundgut, a watchmaker's son and grandson who studied watchmaking in Switzerland. Émile Péquignet becomes Pequignet. With his highly talented watchmaking engineers mastering the latest generation technologies, he created the Fine Watchmaking Laboratory in 2008.
Pequignet becomes a Manufacture.
2011
Pequignet stands out by introducing a new collection of watches equipped with the Calibre Royal®, its in-house movement. This first high-precision movement made in France was launched after four years of development. It is entirely designed, protoyped, assembled and controlled in-house.
2014
The Pequignet Manufacture was awarded the prestigious state-recognized Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label, which was renewed in both 2019 and 2025. This label is a testament to the brand's enduring excellence and heritage.
2018
Since its takeover in 2017 by four employees, the Manufacture has been continuing its growth by unveiling its second movement: a manual-winding version of the Calibre Royal®.
2021
Pequignet unveiled its latest movement, the Calibre Initial®.
2023
On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, Pequignet its launching the Concorde anniversary model, which incorporates all the Maison's distinctive codes (steel, signature link and French calibre). The brand participates for the first time in the Watches and Wonders event in Geneva and opens its first boutique in Paris, Rue de Rennes.
2024
Pequignet unveils, at a preview showing during Watches & Wonders 2024, its first flying tourbillon, a true extraordinary horological feat. It will be manufactured in a limited series of 24 pieces.
2026
Manufacture Pequignet continues its creative momentum with the launch of the Calibre Initial® Chronograph. Blending passion with international growth, the Maison unveils new creations that proudly celebrate the excellence of French watchmaking expertise.
1973
Emile Péquignet founded his eponymous watch Manufacture in Morteau.The collections, which he personnally created and designed, achieved immediate success.
1984
He introduced the Moorea watch, which quickly became the iconic model of the Maison. Over three decades, he has consistently offered a catalog marked by style and innovation, continually renewed.
1987
At the end of the 1990s, Pequignet watches were sold worldwide. Symbolizing desirable French watchmaking, the brand emerged as a key player in the horse riding world, reflecting its founder's great passion.
Men's and women's watches are complemented by jewelry collections.
2004
Acquisition of Pequignet by Didier Leibundgut, a watchmaker's son and grandson who studied watchmaking in Switzerland. Émile Péquignet becomes Pequignet. With his highly talented watchmaking engineers mastering the latest generation technologies, he created the Fine Watchmaking Laboratory in 2008.
Pequignet becomes a Manufacture.
2011
Pequignet stands out by introducing a new collection of watches equipped with the Calibre Royal®, its in-house movement. This first high-precision movement made in France was launched after four years of development. It is entirely designed, protoyped, assembled and controlled in-house.
2014
The Pequignet Manufacture was awarded the prestigious state-recognized Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label, which was renewed in both 2019 and 2025. This label is a testament to the brand's enduring excellence and heritage.
2018
Since its takeover in 2017 by four employees, the Manufacture has been continuing its growth by unveiling its second movement: a manual-winding version of the Calibre Royal®.
2021
Pequignet unveiled its latest movement, the Calibre Initial®.
2023
On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, Pequignet its launching the Concorde anniversary model, which incorporates all the Maison's distinctive codes (steel, signature link and French calibre). The brand participates for the first time in the Watches and Wonders event in Geneva and opens its first boutique in Paris, Rue de Rennes.
2024
Pequignet unveils, at a preview showing during Watches & Wonders 2024, its first flying tourbillon, a true extraordinary horological feat. It will be manufactured in a limited series of 24 pieces.
2026
Manufacture Pequignet continues its creative momentum with the launch of the Calibre Initial® Chronograph. Blending passion with international growth, the Maison unveils new creations that proudly celebrate the excellence of French watchmaking expertise.
Recognised in 2014, 2019 and 2025
Pequignet received the State label, Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV - Living Heritage Company). In 2021, as part of the Grande Exposition du Fabriqué en France organised at the Elysée, it unveiled the Calibre Initial®, its third French-made movement. Without compromising on the beauty and uniqueness of its creations, Pequignet masters and values the good workmanship of its watches and (re)invents the timepieces of today and tomorrow with style.
With its roots deep in France, Pequignet has since 1973 continued the tradition and know-how of watchmaking in France. Pequignet is the only really independent French manufacture of Haute Horlogerie.
